Has good size and speed. Can play the deep ball and break up the jump ball, timing his jump well. Capable of playing in press coverage. Does a nice job in run support, showing some physicality to deliver hit after the catch. Breaks down and wraps up at the point of attack.

CONS:

Doesn't do a good job getting the jam when he's in press coverage. Lacks the hips to really turn and run with receivers. Tends to get handsy running with receivers down the field and doesn't do a good job turning and locating the deep ball. This leads to a bunch of penalties. Will miss stops in the open field because he tackles too high. Will bite on play fakes and doesn't play with good overall awareness.

OVERVIEW:

Sherman is an intriguing athlete that is still developing as a corner. He began his career at wide receiver and was their top receiver as a freshman and sophomore. He combined for 73 catches for 1232 yards (16.9 avg) and 7 touchdowns during those years. He missed most of the following year after suffering a partial tear in his patellar tendon. He caught 8 passes in 4 games before he went down with an injury. He came back the following year and moved to cornerback. The past two seasons he has started there and combined for 112 tackles, 6 picks and 17 breakups. He also average 9.3 yards on 23 career punt returns with 2 scores, and did the triple jump in track early in his career.

NFL FORECAST:

Sherman has potential because teams will like his size, speed, and athleticism. But most of the plays he makes are vs. the run, and he's just not a playmaking or instinctual corner. Many of his interceptions come on poorly thrown balls. He competes, but just lacks the ball skills to make a significant contribution at corner early in his NFL career. He might stand a better chance moving to safety. He's a good enough tackler there and has the size. Again, his ball skills and awareness will be limited there, but he can be an effective player in run support. More than likely, Sherman will be a career backup. The comparison I would make is someone like Lenny Walls, a big tall corner. But unlike Walls, I don't think Sherman will be a functional starter at the next level. But he'll be able to contribute on special teams which should keep him in the league, unlike Walls who struggled to stick. He's just basically a No. 4 guy that adds depth, but probably will never be a major contributor on regular defense.

ATL FORECAST:

Sherman offers depth in Atlanta, but he's not any better than Owens or Franks, and isn't likely to pass either on the depth chart. He can compete on special teams, but he's probably not going to unseat Weems on punt returns. The Falcons are probably a team that is better off moving him to safety and developing him as a backup there. In the end, his long-term value is probably going to be tied to how good he is on special teams rather than any salvageable upside to play defense.

VALUE:

Sherman's athletic tools and upside, coupled with his ability to contribute as a role player on special teams makes him draft-worthy. But spending more than a sixth or seventh round pick on him will likely lead to disappointment.

But here's the rub, what I said is basically what everyone else said (at least the so-called experts). Everybody missed. I don't feel bad about being so wrong because Sherman wasn't that good at Stanford. He's one of those players that didn't play a lot at CB and apparently just really took big steps once he got into the NFL and got into a scheme that really knew how to use him. When have we ever said that about a Falcons player?

Sherman is a size prospect with some good intangibles that will help him mold into a contributing backup corner for a press-heavy team. However, he does not possess the natural coverage instincts, fluidity or burst to be considered a future starter. Is comfortable and capable in press man, using his size to disrupt receivers' releases off the line, but doesn't show enough make up speed to consistently recover when beaten. Awareness in zone and off-man are only adequate. Has average ball skills but some upside as a playmaker. Tough against the run but still developing from a technical standpoint. Sherman is a Day 3 prospect.

Biography: Former receiver who moved to cornerback as a junior and started the next two seasons. Totals last year included 50/4/9 after he had 62/2/8 the prior year.

Positives: "Athletic defensive back with terrific size who is still learning the position. Shows an aggressive streak , works hard to get involved in the action and voluntarily defends the run. Mixes it up with receivers throughout the route, gets vertical and adjusts to defend passes. Displays a burst to the ball, can drive out of his plant and has the ability to quickly close to the action. Defeats blocks to make plays on the ball carrier and beats opposing receivers to defend the pass."

Negatives: Very quick out of his backpedal and prefers to side shuffle. Does not track the ball well and loses positioning to opponents down the field. Late to react at times.

Analysis: Sherman has shown improvement the past two years and could develop into a starter at the next level. At the very least he should be a competent dime back who will see action as a rookie.

Sherman brings above-average size, range and ball skills as a CB. However, he is a bit tight when having to make sudden changes of direction and lacks elite instincts and awareness.

Draft Results

Overall Football TraitsProduction 2 2006: (12/5) Began career at WR; 34 catches, 581 yards (17.1), 3 TD.2007: (11/6) 39 catches, 651 yards (16.7), 4 TD.2008: Granted medical redshirt.2009: (13/12) Moved to CB; 62 tackles, 8 PBU, 2 INT.2010: (13/12) 50 total tackles, 1 TFL, 9 PBU, 4 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR.Height-Weight-Speed 3 Slightly below average height with a solid build. Top-end speed is adequate.Durability 3 Missed nearly all of the 2008 season with a knee injuryIntangibles 4 Was suspended for a game in 2008 after being flagged for unsportsmanlike penalty on the sidelines. Scouts report that he has some maturity issues. Dual-sport athlete who was also a jumper on Stanford's track team during 2007-08.

Instincts/Recognition 3 Instincts and diagnostic skills are average. Still developing with field, awareness, though, and can get caught peeking in the backfield. Can be a quarter count late with anticipation and route recognition of underneath routes. Doesn't back down in press coverage and does a nice job of maintaining initial leverage at the line of scrimmage. Appears to have the mental toughness to bounce back from a mistake.Cover Skills 4 High cut and naturally has some tightness in the hips. Does not appear to have any quick twitched explosiveness. Struggles when having to make sudden change of direction laterally. Surprisingly shows better balance than anticipated and can turn in run with receivers downfield. Closing burst is adequate. Does not possess the extra gear to recover when caught in trail position. Best fit at the next level as a press corner where he can use his length and above-average balance to his advantage.Ball Skills 3 Uses length well when in position. Shows ability to elevate and high point football. Problem is he can be late getting head around and finding the football. Concerns in this area increases when caught in trail position. Can come down with routine interceptions but certainly not an elite playmaker at this point.Run Support 3 Possesses the size, strength and toughness in this area. Will step up when need be and flashes ability to deliver big hit. However, angles are inconsistent. Also fails to break down in the open field and is often too high as a tackler.

1/30/11: Richard Sherman was a late addition to the Senior Bowl roster, so it was nice to see him take advantage of his opportunity. Aside from one play late in the first half, Sherman had a great game; he intercepted Greg McElroy on a deep pass, but the pick was wiped out because of a penalty.

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